Kep1er has bucked the survival series odds and remained as a (less than full) group even after their initial contract ended. This seems to be the new norm, as a smaller version of ZEROBASEONE will also be promoting later this spring. Since reformatting as six, Kep1er’s music has run the gamut in sound and quality. I thought last year’s Bubble Gum was fun, but struggle to find anything worth listening to in new single Killa (Face The Other Me).
There are a few approaches that need to take a lengthy break from K-pop. Vocal fry is near the top of that list, and when it’s coupled with a chorus as annoying as Killa‘s we’re in real trouble. This is one of those irritating, catchphrasey tracks that’s essentially a bunch of empty boasts over derivative production. I’ve never loved this style of song, but now that it’s become its own predictable template new iterations barely even register.
Honestly, I struggle to find points to recommend here. Killa‘s melodic centerpiece (its pre-chorus) sounds nice but isn’t memorable enough to stick. Meanwhile, the rapped verses adhere to dull, simplistic phrasing and the “I’m a killllaaaaa” hook (complete with “chicka boom” and “brrrrr!” exclamations) puts the final nail in the coffin. It’s meant to be a “killing point,” but serves as an immediate signal to turn the song off.
| Hooks | 5 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 6 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6 |
Grade: D-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Production’s cool, the song isn’t and now I’m just gonna stream SHINee and yearn for the kpop perfection this industry once had although I didn’t become a kpop stan until 2018
6.5 (6, 8, 6, 6) for me.
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Well those elements putting the nail coffin kills the track so it’s indeed a killing point in that sense?
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True!
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It took me some time to accept the use of vocal fry with aespa, but Kep1er pushed me far beyond my limit here. It’s a shame cuz the song is decent apart from that and the other irritating gimmicks you mentioned, for a “bad girl” concept anyway. The outro was really interesting.
Also, they chose the WORST song off the EP. The others are at least a 7.5 across the board. KILLA is like a 5 if I’m being kind.
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Also, it’s depressing how we managed to get 16 songs having rated in the 6s in a span of 3 months given last year, it didn’t take until August (if we leave aside songs that rose/fell) to get this much. And throughout 2025, there were 7 songs that got a 6/D- and it’s almost April and we managed to get 6 songs with this rating. I fear we’re truly in a dark phase of kpop 🥴
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Just be happy we’re not getting a fuck ton of songs below a 5 like last year…
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im not the biggest fan of this release either, but i am a really big fan of the b-side “Mic Check” from this comeback’s EP. im bad at articulating why i like things but that song is just soooo good, its so sleek and satisfying.
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Production is fine, but there’s nothing that stands out. A huge downgrade from Bubble Gum, and that’s saying something given it was rated like an 8-8.25.
7(6,8,7,7) for me
Give me Killa from Mirae instead pls
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they were doing great with Yum and Bubble Gum last year… but this is just so incredibly outdated. this was released 7 years too late.
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I miss the days when Kep1er was a nine-member group. Galileo, Shooting Star & Giddy (my top three songs in that order from 1 to 3) are still on repeat for me. This song is just not it.
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I thought we left this type of songs in like 2021… I’m scared cause it seems like this type of “talking and yelling over a beat” tracks seem to be making a comeback and I’m not too thrilled about it…
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well at least personally. This is a first no skip EP from Kep1er for me. Felt they really went all out and kept a very cohesive tracklist sound. 10/10 for me on each song
admittedly people are going to be divided on this as they are too used to the low energy groove songs of late 2025 and 2026
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After some reflection, I think I enjoyed this EP because I’ve been having Babymonster and Ateez on repeat a lot lately, a refreshing change in flavor before I got back to my endlessly relatable R&B Kpop playlist
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what happened… this is a new low for kepler yikes. The concept doesnt really suit the group. Bubble Gum/YUM were very good.
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so, was shooting star just a red herring then..
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